Methods for selectively copying data files to networked storage and devices for initiating the same

Abstract

A data backup system comprises a USB flash drive that includes an emulation component and a flash memory. The emulation component is configured to represent the flash memory as if it were an auto-launch device. Accordingly, a data source, such as a personal computer, will interact with the flash memory as if it were the auto-launch device. As some operating systems are configured to recognize auto-launch devices upon connection and automatically execute applications stored thereon, merely connecting the USB flash drive to a data source running such an operating system will cause a backup application stored by the flash memory to automatically execute on the data source. Here, the backup application is configured to selectively back up data files from the data source to a networked storage such as a server of a commercial service provider.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of, and claims priority to, U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 11 / 506,386 filed on Aug. 18, 2006 and entitled “Data Backup Devices and Methods for Backing up Data” which is a divisional application of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 11 / 492,380 filed on Jul. 24, 2006 and entitled “Emulation Component for Data Backup Applications” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 725,225 filed on Oct. 12, 2005 and entitled “A Method, Apparatus and a System for Removable Media Device Emulation on an External Storage Device via an Emulation Component for the Purpose of an Electronic Data Backup Appliance;” this application is also a continuation-in-part application of, and claims priority to, U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 11 / 546,176 filed on Oct. 10, 2006 and entitled “Optical Disc Initiated Data Backup” which claims...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] Business methods are also provided herein. One exemplary method comprises distributing a USB flash drive including computer-readable instructions comprising a backup application configured to selectively back up data files from a data source to a server across the Internet. The method further comprises maintaining the server to store the backed up data files, and

Problems solved by technology

A problem for many individuals and organizations is that digital content, typically stored on a computer hard drive, can be poorly organized and needs to be archived to be protected against accidental loss.

For one, the resulting copy is no better organized than the original, so misplaced or disorganized content remains misplaced or disorganized.

Also, backing up all data files requires substantial memory capacity to copy numerous files that are otherwise already preserved elsewhere.

The necessary storage capacity for a complete backup can be obtained with writable data storage media, such as hard disc drives (HDDs), however, these require device installation and software set-up when first connected to a system.

In order to complete these steps, a user may have to provide information about the existing system, which the user may not readily know.

Also, the user may have to make decisions regarding the configuration of the device and the backup software.

The number of steps involved with installation and set-up, as well as the complexity of some of the steps, dissuades many users from bothering with backup applications.

The expense of a writable data storage media with enough capacity to perform a complete backup can also dissuade users from performing complete backups.

Furthermore, some users, having bought and installed the necessary storage capacity, are dissuaded from performing frequent backups due to the length of time the system is tied up while performing a complete backup.

While this alternative may allow usage of a smaller memory device that does not require installation and set-up steps, manually selecting files is time-consuming.

Also, manually selecting files creates the possibility of an accidental omission of some files.

On-line storage services, for data backup purposes, not only fail to provide any automated backup applications, but also require significant user involvement to select an appropriate on-line storage system from the various alternatives, set up an account with the chosen system, configure the account with user identification, password, and payment information, select between various service options offered by the system, and so forth.

Additionally, this approach suffers from many of the same drawbacks described above.

A complete backup would still be no better organized than the original system, and depending on the data transmission rate for uploading files, may take an unreasonable length of time.

A manually selected set of files would be just as time-consuming to determine, and just as likely to include accidental omissions.

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